Hi Friends,
Sorry it took us a while to post an update. Thank you so much to everyone for your concerns and prayers and for asking how Aaron & I are and how my family (especially my mom) is doing. It really means a lot to us to know that we have friends and family who care about us.
To answer your questions about us...Aaron has received his commissioning papers to be sworn in as 1st Lieutenant in the Army as a Reserve Chaplain and is also teaching Bible (apologetics, world views, etc.) at Brazosport Christian School to upper level high school students. He is doing what God has gifted him to do (teach) and loves it! Even though the job search was long and hard, we know that this is the opportunity that God wanted Aaron to wait for. Sooo...we moved...again...but after almost 2 years of being nomads (ever since we began preparing for Bethlehem), we have finally moved to a place that we can settle down in, unpack all of our stuff, and call home (at least for a while). We even have furniture again! God continues to bless us!
We moved to Lumberton, Texas from Denver, Colorado at the beginning of this year to be closer to my mom and family; and after this move in August to Lake Jackson, TX we are still within 2 1/2 hours of my family - and Aaron's. It is close enough that I have been able to drive to my parent's house every week, visit my family, stay a night or two, help out with whatever they need, then drive back home! All of the children live within 2 1/2 hours now so we all visit frequently and help my mom, dad, and little brothers (ages 8 & 14) as much as we can so that is great!
To answer your questions about my family...my mom is not doing as well (at the moment) as she has during times in the past but she is still doing better than expected considering the circumstances. Despite having cancer throughout her body, she is still a loving mother to her children and a wonderful wife to her husband - always thinking of us more than herself. You wouldn't know (based on her physical appearance alone) that she has fought and is still fighting such a long and difficult battle with cancer. And, let me tell you, she is putting up a heck of a fight especially since it's been almost 7 years now (Praise God!) and she wasn't expected to live past 2 years tops. So you see...God has been answering our prayers!
Like I said, if you were to just see her, you wouldn't know she had cancer throughout her body. That is how good God is! But even though she doesn't show it much, she has not been feeling well off and on lately. She is usually in some sort of pain from mild to severe and has trouble sleeping because of the pain. She still tries to exercise, do daily chores, take care of her family, home school my youngest brother, complete her daily treatment regimens, and travel for treatment and to see family although all of these things are much harder on her nowadays. The discomfort and pain are more frequent and more intense but she is a strong woman - physically and spiritually - and I know that her faith is what's causing her to persevere each day. God is giving her a good quality of life still when things should be worse...much worse...according to the doctors! It's a good thing that they aren't God!
She is trying to go to a town about 45 minutes away nearly every day for mineral treatments, vitamins, and other alternatives which has probably been helping with the pain, keeping her going, and slowing the spread of cancer. This is the one treatment that is giving her positive results and yet, the insurance won't cover it. She has had to miss treatments due to lack of funds. But despite all of that, God is still giving her life and we are so thankful!
God is also sending people into our lives who are going out of their way to willingly help my mom on their own initiative and upon their insistence. The most recent person is a sweet massage therapist who is giving my mom a special lymphatic massage at no charge 3 times a week. This wonderful lady carefully massages my mom's aching sore body giving her some relief from the hurt and helping remove the toxins that are trying to take over and destroy her. She often cries and prays over my mom as she is massaging her. This is no a small gesture to us. Her kindness and generosity touches our hearts and we are more grateful than she will ever realize.
My mom is still looking into a few targeted laser or radiation treatments but as you know, there is no cure - except for a miracle. There is also the well-known Burzynski Clinic in Houston that deals with gene therapy which is what my mom desperately needs...soon (since it is a gene mutation that is causing this cancer) but there are several steep up-front deposits. Even with all of our funds combined, my family is not able to come up with that kind of money so quickly. And insurance probably won't cover much - if any - of the treatments. But luckily our hope is not in insurance - but in the Lord Almighty who is generous and merciful!
Please pray that God will provide a way for my mom and dad to continue to pay for the current treatments and the new ones that she needs. My dad is still working hard at his job and all the children are contributing any way we are able - including financially but it's not enough to pay for the medical bills (past, present, and future). We aren't going to give up though! God is in control though and His will be done! We will continue to rely on Him for our large needs as well as our everyday ones!
My parents are trying to sell a vehicle though to help pay for my mom's treatments. Anyone want to buy a car or know anyone that does? =) Seriously though...it is a good car! Contact me if you want to know more about it. Also, we are trying to plan a fundraiser event soon but that takes time to organize and we need a faster solution in the mean time. Any ideas? Time is of the essence but all the money in the world belongs to God and I know that His timing is perfect.
The cancer is in her sternum and has cracked the bone in several places (the bone is not there anymore in certain areas) and it has started to spread to the surrounding bones. Her lungs have cancerous masses and pleural effusion (build-up of cancerous fluid in the lungs). She has lost lung capacity which is causing her to cough more and take more breaths. The cancer is also in both ovaries, as well as, her spleen along with a few other places. My mom is not dying from cancer though...she is living in spite of cancer - by God's grace.
With all of that, the doctors are surprised that my mom's is physically still able to breath (because the cancer has left her lungs and heart very little room)...but I am not...I know it is the Lord who gives the breath of life and keeps a heart beating - despite it being perceived as not possible. Nothing is impossible with the Lord Jesus Christ! Even though it is not yet the miracle that we are desperately asking for (which would be complete healing) it is still a miracle, He is still keeping her whole, and it is equally as powerful.
I kept asking God why he doesn't heal my mom though when I know He can and He finally answered me. He simply said "Because, Misty, my grace and comfort would be a thing of the past instead of here and now." And I get it! My mom is literally a walking miracle each and every day that she is alive. We have to daily rely on God's Holy Spirit to get us through and to give us peace. That is a great testimony to God's provision, comfort, goodness, & grace. Thank You Father!
The Lord has sustained her thus far and can continue to do so for years to come - even with a diseased body because He is God over everything!
I have many prayers but here are a few of them...I pray that I would always honor my God in life, as well as in death. I pray that I would never forget to be passionate for the Lord and willing to stand up for God (and possibly be hated) even when no one else will. I greatly admire my mom for always being a Godly example of a bold and courageous ambassador for Jesus. I pray that I will not forget the truth that my parents have taught me and the love that they shown. And, of course, I continually pray for God to heal my mom and refresh her each day.
There is so much that I pray, no, plead for. Sometimes grief comes on unexpectedly and suddenly about the situation that I, my mom, and our family are facing but I know that He loves and cares for her (and all of us) even more than I do. And it is comforting to know that not only is death powerless over Christians (because of Christ conquering death through His resurrection) but it is nothing more than a mere servant that God uses to usher His children into His presence. My mom has always said that she wants so much to be here with her family but she also wants to run to God - straight into His arms - when He calls her home because although death is a sad thing (especially for those who are still here), it is not a bad thing if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior. So true, Mom! 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Please continue to plead (with us) to God on our behalf. Maybe you could even fast even if for a short while during some of the times that you are praying for my mom. Thank you for all of the prayers, encouragement, and support that you already give to us. I know some of you are facing hard times as well and our prayers are with you also. Don't get discouraged!
Love and Prayers,
Misty (& Aaron) Laenger
Our new address is:
514 That Way St, Apt 1625
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
All of our other information is the same. Hope to hear from y'all (that's Texas talk for you all or all of you)! =)
